Page 17 of Sins & Paradise

"Ven, mami, te voy a tratar bien." The man speaking juts his hand out to grab me, but I slap it away. The smile on his face is fake, and the moment I don't do what he asks, it falls off and is replaced with a snarl.

Everything happens so fast after that. One second, the three of them are just standing near me, and the next, they are grabbing for me and trying to get me to the floor.

I can hear them grunting and talking to each other in Spanish, but I don't know what they are saying. In fact, I can barely hear what they are saying. My mind is shutting off. I know what's coming next. I may have only had it happen to me once, but I know what comes after this. I feel myself starting to retreat into my own mind, but before I'm too far gone, I shake off the intense need to check out.

I did the same thing last time. I can't give up so easily this time. I have to fight. Even if it means I'll be hurt worse, at least I'll give it all I've got.

"Get off me!" I yell, and pulling all the strength I have from deep inside of me, I kick the one in front of me in the dick.

He groans and falls to the ground, and the other two work harder to get me under control. I fling my body from side to side, trying to get away from them. I scream and yell for them to stop, but no matter what I do, it seems like they have the upper hand.

I look over to Magda, and my heart drops in my stomach when I realize she's no longer there. She's left me to fight these monsters on my own.

A tear streams down my face, and I beg again for them to leave me alone. All the fight I've had a few moments ago floated out on the wind, along with the idea that Magda would help me.

"Please. Just stop. Please."

This time when I beg, instead of the three men arguing or saying anything, they simply laugh and start pulling off their clothes.

I close my eyes as they finally get me down on the floor and let my body go limp. I fought as hard as I could. This time when it's over, I hope I don't wake up.

It's a sin to wish death upon myself, but I'm not sure I can go through this again and still keep my faith and my sanity. I'll be destroyed even more than I am right now.

"Eso fue un gran error."

I can hear the voice, but I don't know whose it is. Did they really have a fourth person getting ready to come in here and hurt me? How much was I expected to take?

I feel their bodies tensing around me, and instead of continuing to disrobe me, they stand. I open my eyes, and right in the doorway, I see Magda, and in front of her is Lobo. His eyes are locked on the three men in front of me—deadly, focused, primal.

I've never been so happy to see a man in my life.

Magda puts out her hand and gestures for me to come to her. I try to crawl in her direction, but the movement must've caused the man in front of me to realize I was getting away. Instead of focusing on Lobo, who is the bigger threat, he pulls his foot back and kicks me right in the stomach.

All the air is knocked out of my body, and I roll to the side. I don't have time to just lay there because Lobo throws himself at them—literally tackling two of the men onto the ground just inches away from me. It's a full-on brawl, and I'm smack dab in the middle of it.

"Get out of here!" he yells at me as he grabs hold of one of the men and slams his fist into his face. Another one of the other men gets behind Lobo and wraps his arms around his neck, choking him and pulling him off his friend. Lobo grunts as he's pulled back, and I force myself to get to my feet.

He's fighting all three of these people for me. He's helping me; the least I can do is help him.

"Angela, ven, ¡ahora!"Magda hisses at me, her hands still out, waiting for me to join her.

Instead of running in her direction, I quickly scan the room to try and find something to help Lobo. There's a large rolling pin Magda uses to make some of her breads. It's about the size of my full arm and looks as if it's made from solid wood. I grab hold of it and swing with all my might against the back of the head of the man that has Lobo by the neck.

The man grunts and falls backward. His eyes are closed, and there's a small trickle of blood coming out from the back of his head.

Lobo doesn't even register the fact that the man who was behind him is now unconscious on the ground. I do, though.

Did I kill him?

My mortal soul is at risk. I'm no killer. That's one sin I know I won't be able to come back from.

Lobo focuses on the two other men who are still in the bakery. He grabs the arm of one of the men, turns it the opposite way, and then rams his shin straight through the elbow. The intruder screams loudly as his arm bends the wrong way. His elbow is now folded inward instead of outward.

I cringe and back away as Lobo focuses on the last man. Magda finally reaches me and pulls me closer to her.

I didn't even realize I was shaking until she starts to rub her tired, weathered hands up and down my arms.

"Está bien. Yo prometo, está bien," she says over and over.

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